The three P mantra (People, Planet, Profit) conceptualizes sustainability in the social, economic and environmental domains. Argue against such a broad conceptualization of sustainability that goes beyond the environmental sphere.

The three P mantra “People, Planet, and Profit” describe the triple bottom lines and the goal of sustainability. Sustainability is a topic that has become more popular and does not seem to be a single definition for the term. Sustainability is associated exclusively with environmental concerns. Triple bottom line reports are a mechanism for companies to report initiatives and outcomes in relation to economic, environmental, and societal impacts of business operations. This broad conceptualization of sustainability that goes beyond the environmental sphere is difficult to measure the planet and people accounts in the same terms as profits, that is in terms of cash.

In relation to people or societal impacts, triple bottom line reports should consider measurements such as labour policies, diversity, participation in fair trade practices and human rights related practices in both the reporting company and its supply chain. Planet measurements relate to environmental impact of business and can include measurements such as greenhouse gas emissions, participation in voluntary carbon offsetting, water usage and initiatives to decrease water consumption and projects which support natural biodiversity. “Profit” is the economic value created by the organization after deducting the cost of all inputs, including the cost of the capital tied up. It therefore differs from traditional accounting definitions of profit. It makes it difficult for businesses to recognize the benefits of using three P mantra for the company.

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